September 1

My American Latvian friend Monika who I met yesterday in a fit of homesickness told me something I couldn't believe (I am still awaiting a real confirmation of this fact). She said that Latvian school children always start school on September 1. Even if that day happens to be a weekend its a tradition (maybe from Soviet times) that school starts on the first. So while you are all enjoying your Saturday morning sleeping in please think of the poor schoolchildren in Latvia who had to get out of bed on a Saturday to start school today. Of course they have Sunday off and then have to return back from school on Monday then I asked her what happens if September 1 is a Sunday and she said I am not sure and neither am I.